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Product Description

Here is an Athol #87 vise that I have recently had the pleasure of restoring. I am very pleased how it came out.

Before removing the cast in jaws I machined the base for a easy clamp and also so the ears will not break when tightening this vise to a bench. The casted in smooth hard jaws were in very rough shape, so I set the vise up in my milling machine and removed them. I cut a shelf to accept new bolt on jaws. This Athol include two sets of jaws; one smooth and one serrated. Made from A2 Tool Steel, heatreated to 54/56 Rockwell, and finish ground flat and square. Should be the only sets you need.

I also stripped and hand wire wheeled the vise body before adding Black Oil from Sculpt Nouveau an company in the finish business for old Patina. I did remove some of the scars behind the jaws but did not do anything with the square slider in the back. It has a few scars. The very strong buttress threads (a trademark of Athol and later Starrett) on the nut and leadscrew are in great shape.

Next, I fabricated a new handle and custom knobs to clear the Dynamic front. heated and peened them in place for a permanent install just like the original had.

I came up with a better Collar then the flat head cap screw design from Athol. The 82 degree angle on the flat head screw caught the front flange. The hole is still there, I did not plug it. The collar I built is made from Aluminum Bronze, a very tough material. Keep grease in this area. The nut was shimmed to tighten up the backlash. The dovetail and nut were not a tight match.

This 2" vise is a great vise for bench work, and swapping the jaws takes a minute. It's ready to go to work, and is almost as tight as it's first day. The jaws will hold anything you grab.

This classic vise is an historic Athol with a set of custom jaws, new handle and a replaceable collar. Definitely a one of a kind vise that will be a nice addition to your bench.

Shipping is through USPS large Flat Rate Box at $19.0 and only takes a couple days to arrive.

Any questions? Send me a note at this e-mail address: mountainproduct@gmail.com